Spreading the Word Ideas!

Hi Pussyhat Project Team,

We are thrilled you are here- you are essential to making the Pussyhat Project happen!

At first glance, the Pussyhat Project is about making a powerful visual statement at the Women’s March on Washington, D.C.  It’s about the hats, and also a lot more. At its core, this project is about creating a form of representation for those who cannot be there, developing connections between people who care about women’s rights, and creating a framework for community and personal agency from the local to the national level.

Today we want to write a bit about what “Spreading the Word” can look like because all of us, whether we are knitters/crocheters/sewers, marchers, both or neither, can contribute immensely to making this happen.

Anytime you think,” The organizers of the Pussyhat Project should really….” you are probably right! Consider whether this thing you are thinking about is something you can take on. This is a huge group effort and it will be that much better the more we can increase awareness and involvement!

Here are some questions you can ask yourself to spark ways to get involved. 

Ask Yourself:

1. Do I have access to social media? An email address?
Post about Pussyhat Project on social media (instagram, facebook, twitter). Email your friends about Pussyhat Project.  Tell your friends why you personally love this project and direct them to the website www.pussyhatproject.com for more info.

2. Am I making a hat?
Take a picture when it’s in progress and post it on social media using the hashtags:  #pussyhat and #pussyhatproject.  BONUS – take a short video of you knitting and post it on social media – we will assemble them into a video in the near future! 

3. Am I an expert knitter or crocheter?
Offer to give advice and troubleshooting help on social media or locally! Beginning knitters would much appreciate it! Let them know that you’re willing to share your knowledge if they are involved with Pussyhat Project!

4. Am I a D.C.-bound Marcher looking for a hat?
Thank you for going to the March and representing the rights of all women! We love that you are being proactive in getting a hat early. An effective way to raise awareness about the Pussyhat Project is to announce that you are looking to represent a knitter at the March by wearing her hat and would like to connect directly. Someone you know or a new friend may reach out to you! You can also check our Locations page<link> and see if local yarn stores have any hats to give out or could use some help transporting the hats to D.C. via you. If the local yarn store gives you a hat, post a photo of you in the hat right there in the store! If you don’t see a yarn store nearby you listed, check yelp for a yarn store with classes. Stop by and talk with them about the project and if they’re interested tell them to contact us via our website to get listed on our Locations page. If you can’t get a hat before you get to D.C. check back on the website the week of the March to see how to pick up a hat at the March.

5. Do I have access to a #pussyhat?
WEAR YOUR PUSSYHAT NOW! Maybe you are a marcher who has connected with a knitter and are already in possession of this incredible gift. Maybe you are a knitter who hasn’t yet sent a pussyhat along. In my personal experience, wearing my pussyhat around town has led to countless conversations. They usually begin with, “Whoa, nice hat! I love it!” It gives me an opportunity to connect with the hat-admirer on topics concerning women’s rights and delightful fashion.

6. Do I have a printer?
Print out our PDF and distribute it! Bring prints to your library, community center, place of worship, coffee shop, skating rink, bar, beauty salon, doctor’s office, school, any place with a bulletin board or a place to put printed matter that you think may attract people to the project.

7. Do I know of a retirement home, assisted living facility, rehab facility, dialysis clinic, hospital or another place where there may be knitters who are not on social media?
Contact the social coordinator of the facility. Let them know that this type of project is therapeutic and can give purpose to people who may feel powerless.  Really! At senior centers, older folks may not have access to social media, but many do have time and knitting chops. Maybe you could even visit and knit together!

8. Am I a part of any community service, social activism, or women’s group?
Talk with your group about the Pussyhat Project and see if creating hats for the March is right for your group. If so, start to organize! Some groups could include: Mommy and Me groups,  book club, The Red Hat Society, craft beer club, Pantsuit Nation on Facebook, a local marching group headed to D.C., bridge club, bowling league, sky diving club, pep squad, rotary club, etc.

9. Do I have a local media outlet?
Go to the website of your local news source and find the email of the editor, or news tip line. Write an email about Pussyhat Project and what it means to you.  You probably have a local TV station, radio station and newspaper. Maybe invite a journalist or a TV camera crew to a knit along. Wouldn’t it be great to have some positive local news with a national impact?

 10. Do I know an influencer who may be interested in this project?
Reach out to her/him. Perhaps you are this person’s friend or this person’s fan. Let that person know why Pussyhat Project is important to you and include a link to our website so the influencer can find out more. Many have mentioned Samantha Bee as a great example of a stellar influencer. We could not agree more- we adore her!  Can you imagine if 100 or 1000 of us from across the country reached out personally to her? How powerful!

11. Is there a knitter in my life?
Talk with her, or him! Share information about the project.

12. Do I have a local yarn store that isn’t on the Locations page?
Get in touch with them and let them know about your interest in the Pussyhat Project. Chances are, there are other people in your area who are, too. Give the local yarn store this link so they can let people know how they are participating.  You will be helping other knitters in your area find a base and be helping a small business.

13. Do I know how to throw a party?
If you can throw a party, you know how to politically organize! Host a Pussyhat knitting party and invite friends to knit, talk about women’s rights, and learn more about the project. Take photos and post them on social media using #pussyhat and #pussyhatproject.  You can host a meetup in your own home or perhaps at a local coffeeshop like @thread.winners did in Riverside, CA:

14. Do I have a business with space for people to gather?
You can host a knitting group. You don’t even have to be a knitter! Advertise that Pussyhat Project knitters are welcome. (More tips about how to host a knitting party coming soon!) Dance studios, coffee shops, bookstores, boutiques, art galleries, ski lodges – all could be potential “knit in public” places.

15. Am I a photographer?
Offer to take portraits of people in their Pussyhats in your local area! Share them with #pussyhat and #pussyhatproject.

16. Do I know a second language?
If you are able to translate the PDF into another language we would welcome it! You can contact us here.

17. What else can I do? What am I good at that I can apply toward this project?
@anitaliangirl on Instagram posted this photo of a yarn bomb. She clearly is not afraid of heights and knows how to make a big statement in her own hometown! Be creative and think of what fresh stuff you can cook up with your talents to get the word out about Pussyhat Project!

We are two women with laptops who started this project. Your engagement on a local level is crucial to the cause because Pussyhat Project is about all of us.

What we hope you take away from this post is this: We all matter. We all can make a difference. Everyone is welcome.

Thank you for continuing to be a part of the Pussyhat Project.

In solidarity,
Jayna Zweiman

Much love!
Krista Suh